East Toledo - Businessman mourns death of murdered brother

East Toledo resident Kevin Carswell says “it will be kind of strange not hearing my brother moving around up there (upstairs)” in the duplex they shared on Potter Street.

Kevin’s older brother, William L. Carswell, 54, was murdered on Saturday afternoon, December 11, at about 3:55 p.m. at the resale shop Kevin owned at 134 Main Street in East Toledo. The home they lived in is also owned by Kevin.

“I remember back when I was real young I had a cousin that was murdered. We haven’t had this in our family in a very long time. This is just so crazy,” Kevin said.

“I had just rolled past there. Every time I was coming from somewhere on my way home I would ride by there. Everything was alright. When I rolled past, he was sitting at the desk. I saw his girlfriend, saw somebody else. There wasn’t anything going on. It looked peaceful. I just went home to get ready to go Christmas shopping. Then at 4:10, 4:15, I get the phone call,” Kevin recalled.

On Wednesday, two suspects, Luis S. Osley, 26, and Alexander L. Osley, 25, were charged in the murder. After video of the suspects was aired by media, the suspects came into the City of Toledo Safety Building to speak with detectives, said a Toledo police department investigative services release.

After the suspects were interviewed by detectives it was determined both suspects would be charged. The suspects were booked into the Lucas County Jail shortly afterward on charges of Aggravated Murder. The suspects are cousins and both are from Toledo.

During the four days between the murder and the arrests, Kevin remained mostly in the dark regarding the investigation.

“I’m trying to the best I can to leave that up to the police and I’m trying to get my brother buried,” Kevin said. “He didn’t have any life insurance. In fact, we had just talked about that Friday night — we were just talking about renter’s insurance and life insurance.”

William had earned his college degree in social work from the University of Toledo just two years ago.

“I think it was five to six years (he went to college),” Kevin said. “He graduated with social work. He loved it. I mean, that man got on the bus on the cold mornings without hesitation or reservation.

“My brother was legally blind due to his diabetes. Actually, when he graduated he had no sight at all. Then, he had this type of surgery that gave him a little sight, and he had one of his eyeballs removed on his right side, so he had a little vision on his left side because of laser surgery,” Kevin added.

On top of that, both brothers are recovering alcoholics.

“He just celebrated 12 years of continuous sobriety. I am also a recovery (alcoholic). I just celebrated six years and we work hard to help other people,” Kevin said. “Our home group meets Sunday night and it is one of the oldest groups in the city and we just try to keep the doors open to help other suffering alcoholics.”

William was the also coach of the Birmingham Elementary boys basketball team, even though he never played organized basketball. He did earn two letters in football at Scott, graduating in 1975.

“He was an avid basketball coach. Last year, he went undefeated for the first time in coaching career. He even helped coach me when I was playing,” Kevin said.

“He just started the season a couple weeks ago and was looking forward to this season. I know the kids. I’ve got to get over to the school. He loved working with the kids. He had some assistant coaches, so I haven’t talked to them about their arrangements,” Kevin continued.

It was William who talked Kevin into starting up his resale business again.

“I had one before a little further up by the car wash a couple years ago and it did okay. The building caught on fire and we closed down,” Kevin said. “Then, my other partner just came to me and said, ‘I’ve got a vacancy and we can work this out? Do you think you would want to do it again?’

“I talked to my brother and he wanted to get involved the last time I had one. We had someone else involved that didn’t really work out. He got me to do it. With him trying to find a job and he had a lot of time on his hands, so we went for it. I tell you, he put in a lot of time at that shop,” Kevin continued.

“We never owned a business before — no one outside me. We kept it open. This is a family business. This is an opportunity for us. He was very good at it. He worked real hard and he loved it.

“I was going to close it because I just got custody of two of my three toddlers. I had one toddler I had custody of, and now I have three and now I just don’t have time.”

The brothers, along with another younger brother and a now-deceased sister, grew up in the Old South End near Smith Park. Kevin said he and William now considered themselves “east siders.” Kevin has lived in East Toledo six years, William was here 10 years.

Kevin said viewing will be at C. Brown Funeral Home, 1629 Nebraska Avenue, from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday with services to follow. Afterwards will be dinner at Park Congregational Church. Since William had no life insurance Kevin is asking for donations to help cover funeral costs at First Merit Bank.

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